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Monday, March 30, 2015

Check out my Easter Pinterest Page for tons of dinner and brunch recipes to enjoy as a part of a weight loss or post weight loss surgery diet and oodles of ways to use those leftover hard cooked eggs. Plus fun crafts and ideas for candy and chocolate free Easter Baskets for the children in your life.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Growing up one of my favorite holidays was Easter. Hello?! a basket full of chocolate just for me and having much older siblings I didn't have any competition searching for eggs. Well just because we've grown up doesn't mean we can't have an Easter Basket. Here's my version of a post weight loss surgery Easter Basket...

How to Enter: 1.) LIKEThe World According to Eggface Facebook Page 2.) COME BACK HERE and LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS BLOG POST (Be sure to include your name and some email address where I can contact you if you are the winner) Scroll down to # of comments below to enter. That's it, easy peasy.

Contest Period Ends: Sunday, April 5th, midnight (Pacific), sometime Monday, April 6th. I'll draw a name using a random number generator and announce the winner here on the blog! I will also email the winner at the address provided. You'll have one week (7 days) to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen. Remember winners MUST be a Facebook follower (aka have LIKED) of the The World According to Eggface. One comment entry per person. Blog comments are moderated so there may be a slight delay (up to a few hours, especially at night if I'm sleeping Zzzz) in seeing your comment/entry post. Giveaway is open to anyone in the contiguous United States, 48 contiguous only (sorry it's a legal issue: international laws govern giveaways and a money $ thing)

Saturday, March 28, 2015

If you're welcoming guests on Easter weekend this recipe would be a great addition for a sit down dinner or as a dish on your holiday buffet table. I love recipes like this that taste amazing and look elegant but are super easy to prepare. It's also a protein packed and healthy meal so perfect for those who want to celebrate but still work on their weight loss goals.

I served the salmon with steamed asparagus. It would be great with green beans or sauteed spinach too. Leftovers are delicious cold on top of spring salad greens or baby spinach.

5 Tips for Staying Healthy at the Holidays

1. If possible bring a healthy dish to Easter gatherings you are attending, that way you are assured of something yummy you can eat. Make sure you grab your portion. You'd be surprised how quickly healthy dishes get gobbled up. I've gone back to the buffet only to find my healthy dish gone and other heavier dishes with barely a dent.

2. Learn to say "No Thank You" when offered unhealthy items. "Oh Aunt Suzie thank you those look soooo good but I'm saving room for some of that *insert food you can eat* (Ideas: delicious turkey, cheese, veggie...)" and don't feel guilty about saying No. It's not your job to make everyone happy and certainly not at your health's expense.

3. A protein packed snack like a few almonds or a cheese stick can help stave off hunger pains till your next meal and prevent you from eating too many of your kiddos Easter Basket treats. I love Blue Diamond's Honey Cinnamon Almonds and a little hunk of Asiago Cheese for nice sweet and salty combo.

4. Once you've served yourself from the Easter buffet offerings, move away from the table and find someone to talk with. Focus on spending time with the special people in your life. Turn off the cell phone. Be present.

5. Encourage some movement by taking the kids on a neighborhood walk or playing a round of Egg & Spoon.

You need: Plastic Easter Eggs (or hard cooked) and Wooden Spoons

Rules: Simply balance your egg on the spoon and race to a finish line without dropping it. You can add tasks for older kids (balance on one foot and balance your egg, switch hands, relay race with it.) They sell super cute Egg & Spoon Sets or you can get everything you need at the dollar store. To be fair everyone's spoon should be the same size.

One (not quite ripe enough) is destined to become that yummy Irish Avocado Dip I made the other day. One was ready this afternoon and became this Avocado Tuna Melt: I filled 1/2 an avocado with 1/4 cup of tuna salad (I made mine with Greek yogurt, dill, a twist of Black Pepper, and diced green onion.)

Top with cheese and broil till bubbly. Delicious. Worth every fat gram... it's a good fat. Cooks Note: 1 tuna packet makes enough for 1 whole avocado. Don't like tuna... crab salad or chicken salad would be great too.

Whether you are interested in the basics, want to cut through the often confusing health information out there, are looking to advance your knowledge about your weight and how it can affect your health, are currently involved in a weight management program, a post-op bariatric surgery patient or are a support-person to someone who is affected – #YWM2015 is the place for you!

#YWM2015 not only marks our 4th National Convention but it also is the 10th anniversary year of the Obesity Action Coalition (a little extra special this year) For the past 10 years the OAC has been the voice of those affected by obesity through advocacy, support and education. The journey of those 10 years ultimately led to the creation of the Your Weight Matters National Convention as a way to extend the OAC’s commitment to sharing evidence-based education on weight and health and providing an opportunity for our supportive community to come together.

It is an AWESOME weekend of education and learning (usable and truly life changing), making friends (I can't wait to meet y'all... like that y'all it is Texas after all), sampling products (gotta love freebies) and having so much fun (I usually lose my voice from talking and my face hurts from smiling and laughing!) I hope you will join me in San Antonio, Texas, August 13th – 16th to restore, refresh, and renew yourself in this lifelong journey we are on together!

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

A day in my pouch is a series of blog posts to show what a typical daily menu looks like in my post weight loss surgery world. Here's what I ate yesterday with an early nod to St. Patrick's Day.

Breakfast: Ricotta Pancakes are a go-to breakfast at my house. I love these things... especially because it makes the next day's breakfast so easy. I love the leftover pancakes, cold (surprisingly delicious) smeared with a little almond butter. This Pistachio version is a favorite...

More Eggface BreakfastsMore Eggface PancakesLunch: It has been unseasonably warm here and this was perfect: Avocado Dip (I add cottage cheese but you would never know) which is basically my way of getting in a little protein with my guacamole and this time I added a little bacon for a touch of Irish. It takes guacamole to a whole new level. It would be a great healthy snack for a March Madness party. Make a double batch because it'll disappear.

Cook's Note: You could use crumbled leftover cooked bacon I just used 2 Tablespoons of real bacon bits (Hormel or Oscar Mayer makes them, find them in the salad dressing aisle.)

Dinner: Can't have St. Patty's Day without a little corned beef and cabbage. I found the leanest and smallest. I really didn't want a ton of leftovers but if you have a bunch be sure to check out my St. Patrick's Day recipes for tasty ways to use them.

That's a little Horseradish Greek Yogurt Dip on the side just mix a dollop of fresh horseradish in plain Greek yogurt, as much or as little as your nasal passages can handle... it's pretty powerful stuff fresh horseradish... I like to feel the burn.

Snacks: As usual Coffee and I made another one of those Lucky Leprechaun Protein Shakes I posted the other day... soooo good seriously it tastes like Pistachio Ice Cream

Oh and I took a baggie of my Chai Protein Granola with me on my errands. I wanted to mail the latest Giveaway winner's prize right away. I see people in the checkout line at the store grab a Snickers bar or bag of chips, those on-the-fly calories add up... this is one way I save myself from going there.

Speaking of prizes... I think today I might have some fun on Instagram. Keep your eyes out if you follow me over there.

Monday, March 16, 2015

The random generator has selected:Kelly CJadedmage@xxxxx.comCongratulations Kelly! You are the winner of the latest Eggface Giveaway! You win the Nike Workout Bag filled with some of my favorite protein shakes, bars, vitamins, healthy weight loss friendly products and more. You have mail!

Want to learn more about any of the contents of the giveaway above. Click here for more info and sources.

Not a winner this time... no worries another Eggface Giveaway is starting very, very soon! Follow along on the Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and now Instagram for the latest eggciting announcements!

Lunch: Of the 50 or so variations of Bites (aka Mini Crustless Quiches) on this blog I never made one based on all the yummy fillings in a Chinese restaurant Egg Roll till now. I have said it before I know but these might be the best Egg Bites I have ever made.

Saute sausage meat till no pink is seen. Add ginger, garlic and sherry and cook about a minute. Set aside and allow to cool slightly. Break it up into small pieces. I snip it up with kitchen shears... the best invention in the world. OK maybe not best but top 100 ;) In another pan saute slaw mix, green onions and teriyaki sauce till slightly softened. Set aside to cool slightly.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350. Let them cool a few moments they pull away and pop right out. Makes 24.

I ate them with sliced tomatoes. They would be a great accompaniment to my Chinese New Year Soup. Perfect as a party snack or appetizer. I love party food that is easy for guests to eat... no dirty fork to find a place for.

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Top of the morning to you my friends! Are you feeling lucky? ♧ If you are... you'll want to add your name to the hat for a chance to win this bag full of healthy, weight loss surgery friendly St. Patrick's Day goodies. I have felt lucky every day since having weight loss surgery. In celebration...

It's Giveaway Time!

The Prize: a super cool Black Nike Workout (or Carry-on) Bag filled with some of my post weight loss surgery healthy favorites with a little bit of a fun green St. Patrick's Day theme...

How to Enter: 1.) LIKEThe World According to Eggface Facebook Page 2.) COME BACK HERE and LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS BLOG POST (Be sure to include your name and some email address where I can contact you if you are the winner) Scroll down to # of comments below to enter. That's it, easy peasy.

For fun (optional): Name the luckiest thing that has every happened to you?

Contest Period Ends: Sunday, March 15th, midnight (Pacific), sometime Monday, March 16th. I'll draw a name using a random number generator and announce the winner here on the blog! I will also email the winner at the address provided. You'll have one week (7 days) to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen. Remember winners MUST be a Facebook follower (aka have LIKED) of the The World According to Eggface. One comment entry per person. Blog comments are moderated so there may be a slight delay (up to a few hours, especially at night if I'm sleeping Zzzz) in seeing your comment/entry post. Giveaway is open to anyone in the contiguous United States, 48 contiguous only (sorry it's a legal issue: international laws govern giveaways and a money $ thing)

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Here's something fun to do to liven up your weight loss surgery support group meeting, exercise and fitness group, heck even your book club. Host a Protein Bar & Shake Tasting Party! Share and compare samples of bars and/or protein drinks and find a new favorite.

What you need:An assortment of protein bar flavors to try.
An assortment of protein shakes (Ready to Drink RTD's work great for this, cold or on ice)Paper plates
Portion cups

A knife and cutting board if you are not going to pre-cut the bars (FYI: if you have a large group pre-cutting the samples is easier)Snack size zipper bags for attendees to take home extras hunks of their favorite bars

A table suitable for serving food

* I like to use photo clips (place card holders) to display bar wrappers. Not only does it identify the flavor of the sample but also attendees can review the nutritional information and see important info like whether a bar is gluten free, free of artificial colors or flavors, etc. I also use them as table decorations with inspirationalquotes. * Remind your attendees via email the night before to make adjustments in their next day meal plans to account for all the "tastes" of bars or shakes they will be having.

Pictured: Premier Protein 15g. Protein + 7g. Fiber Bars: Cookies ‘n Cream, Peanut Butter Caramel, Honey Caramel, Chocolate Caramel and Chocolate Mint; Premier Protein 30g. Protein Bars: Double Chocolate Crunch, Peanut Butter Crunch, and White Fudge Raspberry; Premier Protein 30g. Protein Shakes: Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberries & Cream. FYI: My personal favorite bars of those pictured above are the Protein + Fiber Bars in Honey Caramel, Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Caramel, and Cookies ‘n Cream flavors. My favorite shakes... I just can't decide. I guess Chocolate if you made me choose one but really all are great and a super convenient portable protein source.Some other fun ideas... Protein Swap Table: Sometimes you have to kiss some frogs before you find your prince of a protein shake or bar. As part of your regular support group meeting have a Protein Swap Table where you can leave products for others to take home and try. Clothing Swap: One of the exciting things about having weight loss surgery is changing clothing sizes quickly but it can be expensive to buy those in-between sizes that you may only be wearing a month or so. Hosting a clothing swap with those gently worn garments can help alleviate some of that costly issue. You will want to set up some racks or tables so donations can be divided by sizes. Some may want to take unswapped items back home but some may not, so have someone willing to make a drop off at the local thrift, shelter or dress for success program. Group Exercise: Introduce the group to a type of exercise. Contact the local health club, gym, YMCA and ask about having a class scheduled just for your group. If the gym can give your group their little sales pitch before it may even be free. It's more fun to try Yoga or Zumba for the first time with friends and if you are like me the added benefit of making it a support group event is knowing who you are accidentally kicking or falling into ;) If you prefer the outdoors... gather the group to tackle a local hiking trail together. Lots of great hiking Apps to find a skill level that suits your needs or a trail that has some options of skill levels... or take part in a local walk or run, so many fun ones out there. This post is sponsored by Premier Protein. For the purposes of this post Premier Protein provided me with products used. Thanks for the yummy bars and shakes. Want to learn more about Premier Protein products LIKE their Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram and tell them The World According to Eggface told you to stop by. Hope this gives you a few ideas for your support groups to try. If you try one (or more) I'd love to see pictures!

Sunday, March 1, 2015

A day in my pouch is a series of blog posts to show what a typical daily menu looks like in my post weight loss surgery world. Here's what I ate yesterday...

Breakfast: I made Breakfast "Tacos" scrambled eggs, topped with cheese and picante sauce, and taco-fied it with a slice of low sodium ham. You need a knife and fork for this one. I left the breakfast dishes and I head over to the Farmer's Market to beat the rain the weather forecast said we were going to get yesterday... we actually got the rain today. I picked up a nice assortment of fruits and veggies for the week ahead... a spaghetti squash I've been craving that Sausage and Ricotta Stuffed Squash I made a couple weeks ago, cauliflower, tomatoes, avocados, strawberries, apples, pears, hmmm there was something else... oh yeah a variety of onions... green, red, yellow... I'm covered for onions. Our market is all year long, rain or shine, the only days it closes are the two weekends of the year when the town holds the Rod Run, a vintage car show... that's next Saturday as a matter of fact. I'm going to have to seek out a market in another town next week.

Lunch: The Edamame and Salmon Salad I posted yesterday. Sooo good. If you don't like salmon you could totally do the same thing with grilled chicken, leftover cooked steak, shrimp, tuna... tofu. Whatever you like.

Dinner: I didn't really want to cook. I actually thought I might head out for dinner somewhere. I have been craving steak. I got too comfortable (aka holey sweats and braless.) Well and the avocado and tomato was sitting on the counter just calling to me to turn them into a salad. I made a sort of Caprese Salad with Avocado. Mexico meets Italy... Avocado, Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella, a dollop of Pesto Sauce, Oregano, Salt & Pepper to taste. The juices from the tomato and pesto mixed together to make a great "dressing." I love dinners like this.

About Me

I had my guts rearranged (aka Weight Loss Surgery, RNY gastric bypass surgery June 2006) This blog is basically me rambling about my world. I also post recipes that I've adapted to make weight loss surgery friendly.
I love to cook.
I have always loved to cook. It's my creative outlet. I was scared that having weight loss surgery would put an end to my days in the kitchen but happily it did not. I actually get to be even more creative by analyzing a favorite recipe and seeing where I can make changes to make a healthier version of a pre-op favorite.